Candidates intensify vote hunt for Bungoma senatorial by-election

Politicians who will battle it out for the Bungoma senatorial by election slated for December 19 have intensified their hunt for votes by reaching out to various groups to boost their chances of winning.

The leaders have focused on reaching out to the minority communities seen as swing votes in the coming by-election.

Bungoma County is dominated by the Bukusu community although the Tachoni, Batura, Teso and Sabaots also stay in the County.

There are also traders from various communities including Asians, Kikuyu and Luo that reside in the County.

Four candidates have declared interest for the seat that was left vacant after the high court nullified the election of former senator Moses Wetang’ula. Former Webuye MP Musikari Kombo successfully lodged the petition.

Journalist David Makali who is vying as an independent candidate is contesting on the platform of change and freshness while Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli says he is the alternative candidate in a polarized County.

The candidates for the by-election have been holding strategy meetings with representatives from the smaller communities to win their support.

Mr Wetang’ula has held meetings with elders from the Tachoni community who have endorsed his bid.

The elders led by their chairman Mr Wasilwa Se Wekesa say the community stands to benefit better from Mr Wetangula’s leadership.

“Mr Wetang’ula has for the last six months listened to us and showed willingness to work with us,” said Mr Wasilwa.

But Webuye East MP Mr Alfred Sambu who is from the Tachoni community has endorsed Mr Kombo for the seat. Sambu was elected on UDF party that is supporting Mr Kombo.

Mr Sambu says as the Amani coalition, they support the Jubilee government and it’s important that voters elect a leader who can work with the government.

“Elections are over and there is a government in place. We need to support the government of the day to realize development and that is why we support Mr Kombo,” said Sambu.

But Mr Sambu is facing rebellion from opinion leaders and County representatives from the Tachoni community who have rubbished his support for Kombo and vowed to support Wetang’ula.

Maraka ward County representative Ali Mutuka and his Mihuu ward counterpart John Nanyakha say Mr Kombo has nothing to show for his stint as area MP for more than 15 years.

Both Mr Nanyakha and Mr Mutoka who are from the Tachoni community have vowed to take Mr Sambu head on.

“The part of Webuye where the Tachoni are settled was marginalized during Kombo’s reign as MP. The region lagged behind in development as Kombo concentrated development in other areas of the constituency and forgot about our area,” said Mutoka.

In Mt Elgon, the community is divided over who to support between Kombo and Wetang’ula. A section of Sabaot elders endorsed Wetang’ula only for another splinter group to denounce the endorsement.

Both leaders have been reaching out to the community for support. In the last elections, the two leaders shared the spoils.

Mt Elgon MP Mr John Serut is backing Kombo but several County representatives from the area are supporting the former Senator.

Both Kombo and Wetang’ula have held strategic meetings in Bumula constituency which is dominated by the Batura community.